Electromechanical apparatus for imparting an oscillating movement to rocking chairs and the like



Dec. 15, 1970 M. TINET 3,546,950

ELECTROMECHANICAL APPARATUS FOR IMPARTING AN OSCILLATING MOVEMENT IRS THE LIKE AND 69 TO ROCKING CHA Filed March 3; l9 I '1 Fig.2

United States Patent 3,546,950 ELECTROMECHANICAL APPARATUS FOR EVI- PARTING AN OSCILLATING MOVEMENT TO ROCKING CHAIRS AND THE LIKE Mario Tinetti, Via Revello 37, Turin, Italy Filed Mar. 3, 1969, Ser. No. 803,831 Claims priority, application Italy, July 11, 1968, 52,395/ 68 Int. Cl. F16h 33/00 Us. CI. 74-61 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to an electromechanical apparatus for imparting an oscillating movemnt to rocking chairs and the like.

It is known that the conventional devices for imparting oscillating movements to objects such as a cradle, bed or the like, utilize the pavement as a counter support for the movement of the device which is in some way connected to the pavement. To permit the operation of these conventional devices, they must be provided with rather bulky and heavy inertia masses directed towards the pavement and forming part of the object to be rocked, which makes the production cost of the latter rather high.

It is an object of the present invention to eliminate this inconvenience, which is achieved by providing an electromechanical apparatus for application to rocking chairs, cradles, beds and the like, which comprises means for automatic generation of an oscillating movement of the object to be rocked, said means being separate from the pavement.

This means is secured below the object to be rocked and thus has no point in connection with the pavement.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the apparatus comprises a framework with an upper frame secured below the object to be rocked, and a lower base portion freely carried by two arms pivotally mounted on the frame and on the base portion so as to permit relative motion with respect to the frame, said base portion carrying a motor with an associated reduction gear connected through a crank system to a bracket rigidly secured to the frame, said crank system being adapted to convert the rotary movement of the motor and reduction gear into an oscillating movement of said base portion relative to said frame.

.The driving force according to the invention is not generated by a lever action between the pavement and the object to be rocked, but by the shifting of the predominant inertia mass (or a mass at least comparable in 'ice weight to the major existing forces) of the assembly, for example the unit comprising the cradle, baby and the apparatus.

Then this inertia mass, provided by the motor and its reduction gear, shifts (for example) with a harmonic motion, also the centre of gravity of the assembly will shift harmonically, which will lead to the generation of positive and negative driving forces which will produce an oscillating movement of the assembly relative to the pavement.

A further advantage of the apparatus according to the invention consists in that the produced oscillating movement will not be violent as with some conventional systems, provided that the inertia masses are appropriately distributed.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 show the apparatus according to the invention schematically in a front view and a side view, respectively, and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view thereof.

Referring now to the drawing and more specifically to FIG. 2, the apparatus according to the invention comprises a framework A with a frame 1 having secured thereto a bracket 2 and itself secured, for example, to a rocking chair 3. Pivotally mounted on the frame 1 are arms 4 supporting the base 5 serving as a support for the motor 6 connected to a reduction gear 7 for transmitting the angular movement of the motor 6 to the shaft 8 with heavy reduction of this movement.

Mounted on the shaft 8 is a crank 9 connected to the bracket 2 through a connecting rod 10 so as to ensure the conversion of the rotary movement of the shaft 8 in an oscillating movement of the motor 6 relative to the frame 1.

This oscillating movement will shift the centre of gravity of the unit from right to left (FIG. 2) due to the moment of inertia of the motor 6 and will so produce the respective (positive and negative) driving couples for imparting to the rocking chair the desired oscillating movement.

The frequency of the oscillations is a function of the angular velocity of the motor whereas their width will depend upon the dimensions of the crank 9.

So when 1 m, the phenomenon of shifting G of the motor 6 will increase; vice versa, when 1 m, it will diminish.

The apparatus may be controlled by a simple switch or timer according to the respective applications.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or "essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiment is therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restric tive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

I claim:

1. An electromechanical apparatus for application to rocking chairs, cradles, beds and the like, comprising a motor with an associated reduction gear, pivotally secured below an object to be rocked, so as to produce a reciprocating oscillating movement due to shifting of the center of gravity of the unit, produced by the mass of the motor.

2. An electromechanical apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a framework with an upper frame secured below the object to be rocked, and a lower base portion freely carried by two arms pivotally mounted on the frame and on the base portion so as to permit relative motion with respect to said frame, said base portion carrying a motor with an associated reduction gear connected through a crank system to a bracket rigidly secured to said frame, said crank system being adapted to convert the rotary movement of the motor and reduction gear into an oscillating movement of said base portion relative to said frame.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,024,663 3/1962 Carrier, Jr. et a1 7461 3,358,815 12/1967 Musschoot et al 74-61 10 3,180,158 4/1965 Morris 74-61 FREDERICK L. MATTESON, JR., Primary Examiner W. S. RATLIFF, Assistant Examiner 

